Kevin Cuneo: This circus trainer loved animals

Every time the circus comes to town, I always think of that chilly November morning in 1983 when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus pulled into Erie.

As the parade moved up State Street, everyone cheered the man with the long blond hair who steered the lead elephant, thinking he was Gunther Gebel-Williams, the world famous animal trainer.

But it was a ruse. Way in the back, wearing dark sunglasses, Gebel-Williams stood next to the last elephant, his golden hair tucked up under a wide-brimmed hat.

Even though he'd become famous on an American Express commercial when he said, "I'd rather carry dis," holding up a credit card, "than dis," gesturing to the leopard draped around his neck, Gebel-Williams hated the limelight.

"He especially hates reporters," Joe Gold, a circus publicist, told me. "Gunther thinks they interfere with his job, which is to take care of the animals. No way will he give you an interview. In fact, if you push him too hard, he's liable to throw you out of the tent -- head first."

What reporter worth his salt could resist a challenge like that? I followed Gebel-Williams into the old Sears building, where the animals resided during the circus's three-day run.

I watched as Gebel-Williams went around and connected with the tigers, elephants and giant Lipizzan stallions. He was firm but almost loving, as he ruffled the fur of a big tiger.

When he took a break, I began asking questions. "Animals cannot be trained with a whip or through intimidation," Gebel-Williams said sternly. "I use a system of rewards, and it's important to remember that every animal is different. They're like people that way."

Gebel-Williams said he worked with each animal for two years before they actually appeared in the circus.

Finally, he looked up and said, "Who are you, anyway?"

"I'm a newspaper reporter," I replied.

"I thought as much!" he said. "Now get out of here. I have work to do."

I skedaddled before he erupted, but it remains one of the most interesting interviews I ever had.

Gebel-Williams, the greatest circus performer of his era, died at 66 of a brain tumor in 2001. People who love animals will dispute this, but in the hour I spent with him, it looked like Gebel-Williams had genuine affection for animals. And they in turn liked him.

KEVIN CUNEO can be reached at 870-1701. Send e-mail to kevin.cuneo@timesnews.com.